Dowel means for roadway expansion joints



Feb. 15, 193s.. w. RSCHULZ 2,108,393

DOWEL MEANS FCR BOADWAYEXPANSION JOINTS Filed July 1, 19:55 4 sheets-sheet 1 Feyb. 15, 1938. l w. F. SCHULZ DOWL MEANS FOR ROADWAY EXPANSION JOINTS Filed July 1, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 gmc/Wto@ I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 W. `F.A SCHULZ Feb. 15, 1938.

DOWEL MEANS F'OR ROADWAY EXPANSION JQINTS Filed July l, 1935 'Y mferlschuzz,

Patented Feb. 15,l 1938 PATENT OFFICE DOWEL MEANS FOR ROADWAY EXPANSION l J OINTS Walter F. Schulz, Youngstown, Ohio, assignor to Truscon Steel Company, Youngstown; Ohio,

a corporation of Ohio Application July '1, 1935, Serial No. 29,354

12 Claims.

. heaving or lifting with respect to each other', and,

generally speaking, represents a carrying forward in novel and advantageousA structural designs and combinations, of the basic principles 10 underlying the dowel device constructions for a like purpose illustrated, described and-claimed in my prior application, Serial` No. 23,923, filedv May 28, 1935. y

In its broader aspects, a slab connecting dowel device as set forth in my aforesaid prior application is characterized by end or anchoring portions to be embedded in the slabs, respectively, yand an intermediate yieldable portion of such formation as to cooperate with the end or anchoring portions to hold the slabs against relative vertical movement and, at the same time, to permit the slabs to move relatively horizontally. In connecting a pair of slabs by means of such dowel devices a number of the devices are employed at points suitably spaced along the length of the expansion joint or space between the slabs.

One object of the present invention is to provide a slab connecting device which embodies the foregoing broad and desirable characteristics of the dowel devices described and claimed in my aforesaid prior application, and which includes, in effect, a number of dowel devices embodied in a single unit, thereby to simplify manufacture,

provide a slab'connecting device embodying, in'

effect, one or more dowel devices, in which the yieldable formation between the anchoring por- 40v tions thereof, or theyieldable formations between related pairs of anchoring portions thereof, as the case may be, is or are advantageously vertically disposed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a slab connecting device embodying a combination of slab connecting elements so `cooperating with each other4 as to hold the slabs in an exceptionally effective manner against vertical movement relative to each other while permitting comparatively free relative horizontal movement of the slabs.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, n

which wili become more fully-apparent as the nature of the invention isbetter understood, the

55 same consists in the novel jfeatures of construction, combinations and arrangements as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and dened in the appended claims. A

In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a vcross sectional view illustrating one practical form ofthe invention embodying a cooperating pair of slab connecting elements.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the upper connecting element shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a sideA elevation of the combined connecting elements shown in Fig.v 1.

Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 are vviews similar to Fig. 1 illustrating slightly alternative embodiments of the invention.

Figures 8, 10, 12 and 14 are cross sectional views, and Figures 9, 11, 13 and 15 are related fragmentary side elevations,.respectively, of other alternative forms of the invention embodying cooperating pairs of connecting elements; and' Figures 16, 17, 18 and 19 are views similar to Fig. 1 illustrating alternative single connecting element forms of the invention.

Referring to the drawings inv detail, first with particular reference tothe form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, A, A designate adjacent portions of a pair of slabs of a concrete roadway, a designates an' expansion joint or space between said slabs, and B designates, generally, the present slab connecting device comprising the substantially duplicate upper and lower slab connecting elements designated, respectively, as b, b.`

Both of the elements b, b' are formed from sheet metal of suitable gauge having a comparatively low degree of fatigue, and in cross section and other respects they are, as aforesaid, substantially duplicates of each other when not disposed in cooperative relationship and considered individually. When, however,` they are'disposed in cooperative relationship as illustrated in Fig. 1, one of them is inverted with respect to the other. Therefore, while the upper element b is of substantially M-shape in cross section and the lower element b' is of inverted, substantially M-shape in cross section, said lower element may more properly be considered as being of substantially W- shape in cross section. In any event, each element comprises a pair of vertical side walls I0, Ill, joined together by a pair of intermediate walls Il, Il which are inclined with respect to said side walls and with respect to each other, thereby providing a substantially V-shaped yieldable formation constituting a flexible compensating member or fold permitting the side walls l0, I0, to

aff"

move more or less freely toward and away from each other. The intermediate walls II of the upper element b ext-end downwardly and inwardly from the tops of the sidel walls I of said element and at or near their lower ends are suitably joined together. Similarly, the intermediate walls II of the lower element b' extend upwardly and in- -wardly from the bottoms of side walls II! of said element and at or near their upper ends are suitably joined together. In this connection and as will be understood, either or both of the elements b, b may be formed from a single piece of she-et metal bent into the cross sectional shape shown and described, or either or both of said elements may be formed from two or more separate pieces of metal connected together by welding, riveting or in any other suitable manner. Moreover, said elements b, b' may be formed of any desired length, or, if they are furnished in greater lengths than should be required in any particular case, they may be cut into desired length to extend continuously from end to end of any given expansion joint a; or, alternatively, any two slabs may be connected together by any desired number of sections of the elements b, b' arranged in end to end relationship.

Regardless of the length of the elements b, b and regardless of whether said elements are of one-piece or plural-piece construction, the apices of the substantially V-shaped formations thereof preferably extend belovtr and above the lower and the upper edges of the side walls I0 of said elements, respectively, and are suitably intertted or formed and connected so as to be more or less freely movable vertically, but unrnovable laterally, relative to each other. For example, in the Figs. l to 3 form of the invention the apex of one of said substantially V-shaped formations has the form of a channel I2 and the apex of the other of said formations is in the form of a tongue I3 disposed in said channel. As shown in the present instance the substantially V-shaped formation of the upper element b is provided with the channel I2 and the corresponding formation of the lower element b is provided with the tongue I3 disposed in said channel. Obviously, however, this arrangement may be reversed. In any event, both the channel and the tongue preferably are coextensive in length with their related elements.

Each side wall I0 of each of the elements b, b' is suitably slitted at points suitably spaced therealong' to provide a plurality of anchoring tongues Ill, and, as shown, these tongues, which are vertically disposed, are bent to extend outwardly from said side walls preferably at right angles thereto. In addition, each tongue preferably has a portion Ill. thereof bent to extend Alaterally therefrom, the said portion I5HL preferably being of triangular shape with its base end disposed outwardly so as to have dovetail interlocking engagement with the concrete of the slab in which the tongue is embedded. Other tongues I5 are struck either from the side walls I0 or from the inclined intermediate walls II of the upper element b to extend upwardly from said element, and similar tongues I6 are struck from the lower element b to extend downwardly therefrom, for purposes which will presently appear.

In constructing a concrete roadway it is usual, prior to pouring the concrete to form the slabs A, A, to suitably support a pair of spaced plates or the like at the points where the expansion joints or spaces a are to be formed between the slabs, thereby to prevent'the concrete from' 310W' aioasas ing into said spaces. A pair of such plates are designated in Fig. l as I1, I1 and it is a feature of the present invention that these plates are employed to position and hold the elements b, b' in cooperative relationship .to each other while the slabs A, A are being poured. The upper element b is engaged over the tops of the spaced apart plates I1, I1 with said plates engaging the inner faces of the side walls I0, Ill of said element and the upper edges of said plates engaged in the corners at the junctions of the respective side and inclined walls I0 and II. The lower element b is similarly engaged over the bottom portions vof the plates I1, I1, and, as is understood, the

height of said plates I1, I1 is such as to hold the elements b, b in suitable vertically spaced apart relationship. Prior to pouring the concrete a strip I8 of mastic or premoulded material is provided to extend along the joint below the lower element b', and a channel element I9 of inverted U-shape in cross section is placed upon the top of the upper element b to define the expansion space between those portions of the slabs which extend above said element b. The concrete then is poured and when it subsequently hardens the element I9 is removed and the space above the element b and between the slabs is llled with a strip 20 (see Fig. 4) of mastic or premoulded material. In this connection the tongues I5 obviously serve to correctly position the element I9 prior to pouring of the concrete and subsequently to interlock the strip 2D with the element b. Similarly, the tongues I6 serve to assist in interlocking the strip I8 with the lower element b.

The tongues i6 preferably, but not necessarily, are formed in pairs alined transversely of the elements b, b', and when the concrete is poured and subsequently hardens about said tongues it is apparent that they become firmly embedded in the concrete and cannot be pulled therefrom, thereby rigidly connecting the side walls I0 of the elements b, b', with the slabs A, A. If, now, expan-l sion or contraction of the slabs A, A occurs, with consequent relative inward or outward movement of the side walls I0, Ill of the elements b, b', such movement obviously is permitted due to the laterally yieldable nature of the substantially V- shaped formations constituting the exible compensating members interconnecting the side walls I0, I0, and to the connection between the apices of the substantially V-shaped formations of the respective elements b, b permitting relative vertical movement of said formations. On the other hand, it is equally apparent that any upward or downward movement of either slab A with respect to the other slab is effectively prevented. Assuming, for example, that a load is applied to the right hand slab and the left hand slab is held' against downward movement, it is apparent that the bottom of the substantially V-shaped formation of the upper element b would tend to move to the left and that the top of the substantially V-shaped formationl of the lower element b would tend to move to the right. Obviously, these two tendencies would be of equal magnitude and opposite in direction. Consequently, the two forces would exactly equal or balance and no sidewise movement of the substantially V-shaped, formations would occur, inasmuch as these formations of the respective elements b, b are interconnectedl against relative lateral movement. Therefore, the right hand slab could not move downwardly relative to the left hand slab, since any relative upward or downward movement of the respective side walls i0, I0 of the elements b, b is dependent known that a rigid triangle is the basic principle of all structural trusses, and in this connection it will be observed that a double triangle truss is formed by the present elements b, h'interconnect- Y embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 4;

ing the slabs A, A, thereby assuring constant alinement of said slabs. In other words, it ls apparent that the left handvportions of the elements b, b form one triangle and that the right hand portions of said elements form a -lsecond triangle; that the outer sides of these triangles are rigid with the slabs A, A, respectively, and that said triangles intersect at the apices of the respective V-shaped formations of the elements b, b. where they intersect may not be at once apparent, but by analytical study itwill be found that their relationship at their points of intersection is rigid due to the arrangement whereby forces acting horizontally at their apices are equal and opposite and are guided vertically. Accordingly, it is impossible to move either triangle as a unit vertically without moving the other triangle an equal amount. The two connected slabs must, therefore, move up or down equal amounts and will always remain in perfect alinement, assuming, of course, that the sheet material 'comprising the elements b, b' is of such nature and dimensions as to carry the required joint rated load capacity.

i. Because of the side walls I0, I0 of the elements b, b' extending longitudinally of the expansion joint or space between the slabs A, A, and because of the inclined walls I I, ||.of said elements also extending longitudinally of the joint between the side walls I0, I0, the said elements b, b' may be made of indefinite length and may be provided with as many anchoring tongues I4 asdesired limited only by the length of the tongues because of the latter being struck from the side walls of the elements b, b2

In Fig. 4 of the drawings is illustrated a slightly alternative embodiment .of the invention in which the substantially V-shaped formations between the side walls of the elements b, b are connected together at their apices and are held lagainst relative lateral movement, but are permitted to move relatively vertically, by oppositely laterally disposed hollow ribs or V-shaped formations 2|, 2|, as distinguished from the tongue and channel intertting connection illustrated in v Fig. 1. Obviously, the Fig. 4 construction involves the same mode of operation, as the Fig. 1 construction. However, in producing the Fig. 4 construction it is preferred to form the two triangulartrussesyeach as a unit and to weld or rivet said units together adacent to the formations 2|, 2|, rather than to form upper and `lower elements of M and W-shape, respectively.A

The Fig. 4 form of the invention may, however, be produced by forming upperand lower elements ofv M and W-shape, as in the case of the Fig.'1 construction.

In Fig. 5 of the drawings is illustrated another alternative embodiment which is the same as the except that only one of the triangular trusses, instead of both of them, is provided with a hollow rib or channel 2|, f

Figure 6 of the drawings illustrates another alternative embodiment of the invention in which the substantially Vv-shaped formations between 'I'he rigid relationship of said trianglesl bodiment of the invention which diifers from the t Figs. l to 6 embodiments mainly in that the side walls lila, Il)h1 of the elements b, b are themselves directed outwardly and embedded in the concrete of the slabs A, A,` as distinguished from being vertically disposed against the end faces of the slabs andhaving anchoring tongues struck therefrom. While, in Fig. 7, links have been illustrated .as connecting together the apices of the substantially V-shaped formations of the respective elements bb, it is manifest that saidformations may be connected together as illustrated in either Figs. 1, 4 or 5 or in any other manner such that they are held against relative horizontal movement and are permitted to move relatively vertically.

'Figures 8 and 9 illustrate another alternative embodiment of the invention in which the apices of the substantially V-shaped formations of the elements b, b intert in the fashion of the leaves of a hinge and in which a rod 23 connects said formations in the fashion of a hinge pintle.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate another alternative embodiment of the invention in which tongues 24|. are struck from the side walls of each of the substantially V-shaped formations of the respective elements b, b' and in which the tongues of each formation over-lie the sides of the apex portion of the other formation, thereby to hold the respective V-shaped formations against relative lateral movement and to permit them to move this, Figs. 14 and 15 Jillustrate that a doublechannel element substantially as `illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13 may be obtained by bending' tongues 21 from a, strip 28 along lines extending at right Iangles to the strip. Figs. 12 to 15 also illustrate that in order to. permanently assemble the strips 26 and 28 with one' of the V-shaped formations, some or all of the tongues 25 or 21 of one set may be welded` to the related V-shaped formation as indicated at 29.

Figure 16 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the invention in which an element 30 of substantially -Zshaped cross section is employed to connect the slabs A, A. The web of this element extends substantially vertically within the expansion space between the slabs and the ends of said element are anchored at vertically" spaced points in the slabs. Thereby the slabs are held against relative vertical movement, but are permitted to move toward and away from each otheras is apparent. The end portions of the element may be of any suitable ployed to define the joint space between theslabs in which the web of the elenent 30 is disposed and, as in the case of the other forms of the invention, mastic or premoulded strips may be employed to ll the joint spaces above and below the element 30.

Figure 17 illustrates a construction which is the same as the Fig. 16 construction, except that,v

instead of employing mastic or premoulded strips to ilil the joint spaces above and below the slab connecting element 30a, said spaces are closed by sheet metal channel members 32;A crimped, welded or otherwise suitably fastened to the plates Il and to the element 30a. If sheet metal joint space closing elements are employed, the upper of said elements preferably is disposed a suitable distance below the top surfaces of the slabs and a mastic or preformed joint space filler strip is employed thereabout.

Figure 18 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the slab connecting elementis of N-shape, in cross section; in which the side walls 33 of said element are suitably anchored to the respective slabs A, A, as by means of tongues 34 struck from said side walls and embedded in the concrete, and in which the web portion 35 connecting the side walls extends from the top of one side wall diagonally to the bottom of the other side wall, thereby holding the slabs against relative vertical 'movement, but permitting them to move toward and away from each other. In this form of the invention the expansion space between the slabs is filled by upper and lower mastic or preformed strips 36.

In Figure 19 is illustrated an embodiment of the invention which is, in effect, a compromise between the embodiments of the invention illustrated in Figs. 16 and 18. That is to say, the connecting element includes a diagonally extending web 31 and side walls 38, 38, both of which extend in the same direction, in this instance upwardly, from the ends of said web, respectively. The side walls are suitably anchored, as by means of .tongues 39, to the respective slabs, and plates l1c are employed to define the expansion space between the slabs in which the connecting element is disposed.

As will be observed, it is characteristic of all of the forms of the present invention that the yieldable formations or flexible compensating members between the sides or anchoring portions of the connecting elements are disposed vertically in the expansion joint space, as distinguished from the forms of the invention illustrated in my aforementioned prior application wherein the yieldable formations or compensating members between the anchored portions of said elements are disposed horizontally in the expansion space between the slabs.

Without further description it is thought that the features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and it will of course be understood that changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:-

1. Means for connecting road slabs comprising upper and lower cooperating elements of substantially M-shape and W-shape formation in cross section, respectively, means for anchoring one side wall of eachelement to one slab and the other side wall of each element to the other slab,

and means interconnecting the intermediate apical portions produced by said formations between the side walls of the respective'elements for relative vertical movement and holding the apices of said formations against relative lateral movement.

2. Means for connecting road slabs comprising upper and lower elements each having a pair of side portions for anchoring engagement with a pair of slabs, respectively, the upper element having a substantially V-shaped formation connecting the side portions thereof, the lower element having a formation of inverted substantially V-shape connecting the side portions thereof, and means interconnecting said formations at their apices for relative vertical movement and non-lateral movement.

3. Means for connecting road slabs comprising an elongated' upper element of substantially M- shaped formation in cross section and a lower elonigated element of substantially w-shaped formation in cross section, tongues struck outwardly from the side walls of said elements at points spaced longitudinally therealong for anchoring engagement in the respective slabs, and means interconnecting the apical portions of the substantially V-shaped and inverted substantially V-shaped portions of said formations located between the side walls of the respective elements for relative vertical movement and holding said apices against relative lateral movement.

4. Means for connecting road slabs comprising an elongated element having a pair of spaced side Walls, upper and lower sets of tongues struck outwardly from said side walls at points spaced longitudinally therealong for anchoring engagement in a pair of slabs, respectively, said tongues being bent uponthemselves-to provide substantially right angularly related anchoring portions one of which is of triangular shape with its base disposed outwardly, and means located substantially between planes including said upper and lower sets of tongues for interconnecting said side walls for relative movement toward and away from each other and holding them against relative vertical movement.

5. MeansA for connecting road slabs comprising an upper element of substantially M-shaped formation in cross section, a lower element of substantially W-shaped formation in cross section, means for anchoring related side walls of said elements to a pair of slabs, respectively, and means interconnecting the apical portions of the substantially V-shaped and inverted substantially V-shaped portions of the said formi..- tions located between the side walls of the respective elements for relative vertical movement and holding said apices against relative lateral `movement, said means comprising a tongue on one of said formations engaged in a channel in the other of said formations.

6. Road slab connecting means as set forth in claim 5 in which the means connecting the apices of the formations between the side walls of the respective elements comprises a rib of channel-shape in cross section.

'7. Road slab connecting means as set 'forth in claim 5 in which the means connecting the apices of the formations/between the side walls of the respective elements comprises a link.

8. Road slab connecting means as set forth in claim 5 in which the apex portions of the formationsl between the vside walls of the respective elements are interengaged with each other and interconnected byv a pin.

9. In a roadway, adjacent road slabs having an expansion space therebetween, elongated upper and lower elements within and extending longitudinally of said space, said elements being of substantially lvl-shape and W-sha'pe formation in cross section, respectively, means anchoring related side walls of said elements to said slabs, respectively, and means interconnecting lthe apices of the intermediate substantially .tl-shaped and inverted substantially V-shaped-portions oi the said formations located between the side walls of said elements for relative vertical move ment and holding them against relative lateral movement.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 9 including a strip of elastic material between the slabs above the upper element, and'tongues ex- 11. Road slab connecting means comprising upper and lower elongated elements of substantially M-shape and w-sha'pe formations in cross section, respectively, means for rigidly an# choring related side walls of said elements to a pair of slabs, respectively, plates to hold said elements in vertically spaced relationship prior te pouringv of the road lslabs and to define the ends of the slabs, and means interconnecting the upper and lower levels in the ends of adjacent i slabs at dierent horizontal elevations, and means connecting said upper and lower anchoring portions, said means lying within the space between the slabs at an angle oblique to a plane perpendlcular to the surface of the `slabs and providing vertically disaligned horizontal hinging axes for permitting relative horizontal movement between the slabs Abut resisting vertical movement thereof.

WALTER F. SC. 

